A hit-and-run Monday killed Shanghai businessman Weixue Liu, 27, and left his colleague, Zhang Xin, 36, on life support.

Police said Liu, Xin and two others were walking west from the Clock Tower along the north side of East State, where there is no sidewalk, toward another hotel.

Liu and Xin were hit just west of the I-90 overpass by a dark-colored, late '90s to early 2000 model GMC Jimmy SUV. The vehicle did not stop.

Five months ago, Winnebago County Engineer Joe Vanderwerff told the Register Star: "There are a lot of hotels out there, and the restaurants are not always on the same side as the hotels. People are walking across it, and we're concerned about pedestrian safety, particularly for those that visit the area."

The accident underscores a sense of urgency for the city, county and state officials to enhance the intersection.

In addition to turn lanes in all four directions and islands, the $5 million project includes more lighting and handicapped-accessible crosswalks that will connect to sidewalks and a developing recreation path along South Bell School.

"The design plans are 95 percent complete," Assistant County Engineer Wayne Vlk said. "As soon as we get funding, we can start the project."

The county has taken the lead in implementing the project, which is being covered largely with federal money dispersed by the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Winnebago County senior project manager Carlos Molina met Thursday with federal, state and city officials at IDOT's District 2 office in Dixon.

"We've still got quite a bit of work to do," he said. "We're working on Phase 1 engineering."

Molina said the project has grown from $3.5 million as recently as July, partly because of Rockford's request to add street lighting and connecting sidewalks.

"We're waiting to hear back from Springfield regarding federal funds for street lighting," Molina said. "We didn't get that answer today. If the funds are not eligible, the city of Rockford will need to make a decision if they want to pay for it."